You are here

Uganda: Gen. Sejusa And Col. Ogole, Former War Antagonists, Meet

Former antagonists in the Luweero war that brought the National Resistance Movement to power, General David Sejusa and Colonel John Ogole, have been meeting in London over several months and have agreed to work together to end the current oligarchy in Kampala.

Sejusa was a top commander in the NRA rebels while Ogole led the charge to defend the government on the field of battle. These two war veterans have been leading their respective teams drawn from inside Uganda and those living in exile.

General Sejusa is one of the leaders of Free Uganda, a newly-formed Ugandan liberation platform that has set out to unify and mobilize the various forces, political organizations and individuals opposed to the Gen. Yoweri Museveni dictatorship.

The two former antagonists wouldn't provide the details of their discussions at this time; both Gen. Sejusa and Col. Ogole confirmed meeting and burying the hatchet for the sake of Uganda.

It wasn't possible to immediately confirm whether Dr. Kizza Besigye, a former fighter and now leading opponent of the Museveni regime, attended some of the meetings.

In the past Dr. Kizza Besigye has publicly confirmed meeting with Colonel Ogole. Recently, Dr. Besigye also confirmed meeting General Sejusa, saying that the two were now working together to effect political change in Uganda.

"For [the] sake of Uganda, everything is possible, including admitting past mistakes and moving forward, as a way of atonement," Gen. Sejusa says, commenting on meeting with Col Ogole. "Reconciliation of the Ugandan people is the only viable way to bring about sustainable peace in our country. Our mission is to secure the future of Uganda so we must not use the past to obscure the mission of today."

"It's true we have been meeting," Col Ogole said. "Uganda is bigger than all of us. And everything that can bring peace and reconciliation in our country must be done irrespective of history both real or perceived. This is a historic opportunity to heal the wounds of our country. It will advance a sense of nationhood for all the People of Uganda. In the post-Museveni Uganda we will all feel that we belong."